What is the Difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
Felonies are more serious crimes, and misdemeanors are less serious crimes. Both can also result in imprisonment.
If the law provides for imprisonment for longer than a year, it is usually considered a felony. If the potential maximum punishment is for a year or less, then the crime is considered a misdemeanor. Felonies and misdemeanors are also given a number or degree explaining how serious the crime is. The most serious degree of crime is a capital crime and the least serious degree of crime is a second degree misdemeanor.
Criminal v. Civil
The State Attorney is an elected officer who represents the people in both capital and non-capital prosecutions for violations of state laws and related matters in state courts.
- A crime is an act or omission for which the State legislature has designated a penalty that may include prison, jail, probation, and/or a fine.
- A civil action is the enforcement of a personal cause of action like a contract dispute, negligence action, divorce, and child custody, to name a few.
- Some matters that may be the basis of a civil action could also be prosecuted as crime. Examples: battery –> civil action for injury and criminal for the act.